Ladder rung



Oct. 21, 1930. I R. c. PFEIL 1,779,370

LADDER RUNG Filed June 18, 1928 E0 9 Pfe I N V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 'i 1 ROY c. .PFEIL, or coLUMBUs, oHro, ASSIGNOR rro'rrrn IN ERNATIONAL nnnnroxa' EQUIPMENT COMPANY, or COLUMBUS,- OHIO, AconroRA mN or OHIO LADDER none 1 i Application" filed June-18,

My invention relates to ladder rungs.

hand holds and steps at different times as a 5 climber progresses from one end of a ladder to the other.

Heretofore, in most ladders the rungs have usually been fabricated from lengths of hollow tubingangle section or from a plurality of lengths-cut from around rod. The most common method of attaching these rungs to the side rails of a ladder has been either bywelding the ends of the rungs to the side rails, pressing the ends of such rungs through the side rails or by riveting or bolting but the size of the material has been such asto 7 provide suflicient space for only one rivet or bolt to each end. Thesevarious means of attaching the rungsto the side rails of a ladder have not been particularly conducive of a feeling of security on the part of the climber. due to the fact that there is an inherent danger of the rungs working loose'attheir points rung to each side rail ofthe ladder by two or more visible attaching means. My invention also contemplates the provislon of a ladder rung which is unusually strong, whlle be- 5 ing very'light, rigid and easy to fabricate. Further, my.invention-contemplates so con-' structing the rungs as to provide a rounded surface of such diameter as will permit easy gripping by the hands. of tlie climber and, at the same time, provide a'surface alfording good support for the foot of the climber.

The details, of my invention may be'seen; in the following description and the preferred form thereof may be seen inthe 210-? companying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is aperspective view showing a plurality of rungs constructed inaccordance 192s. sria n 286,083

with my invention in assembled relation with theside rails of a ladder A i V Figure 2 is' a perspectiveview of a ladder V rung constructed in accordance withthe idea disclosed by, my invention. 1 a

Figure 3 is an end view, partly infsection,

I of the ladder rung shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring tothe drawingstl have shown a ladder of thewell-known type consisting of side rails 1 and'anlurality of rungs/2 and it will be understood that the side rails 1 may 1 be of any preferred form;

In'FiguresQ and3 of'the drawings, 1 have shown more detailed views of one of theladder rungs 2. As shown, this ladder rung comprises a central portion 8 that is substantially circularin transverse cross-section and embodies flaring end portions 5 and 6,]all of these parts being" preferably formed from a single piece of nietall; It willbe seen that the opposite edges of the flared ends 5 and 6 are bent or flanged as at 7- and these flanges extend'rearwardly from the ends of the ladder rungto the opposing e'nds of the central portion-3 of the rung; In fact, the flanges or bent portions? are continuations ofthe opposing edges of the central portion 3. Referring to Figure 3 of the drawiI'i it Will be seen that the outermost ends of' thejflared portions 5 and 6 are me line substantially throughthe center of. the central 'portion 8. The rungs are constructed in this manner in orderto avoid undue stress on any particular part of the-metal when'the'rungis formed. Bolt or rivet holes S are provided in each flaredend.

One of the advantages ofmy invention re:

SldSjIlIi the fact that the ladder rungs 2 may be formed or fab ricated'from a flat, rectangular piece of stock that has been previously sheared to theproper size by placing'this stock in aforming die and thenishaping in the well known manner. Another advantageous feature of my'in vention results'from the fact that the rungs are soconstructed as to be conducive of a sense of security on the part of the climber, while, at the same'tim eyproviding a ladder run which will furnisha good grip for the clim .ers hands and a rigid support for his 7 weight; These advantageous features are due partly to the fact that the rung is formed or fabricated from a. single piece of material but are due mainly to the fact that the body portion of the ladder rung is substantially circular in transverse cross-section and the opposing .ends of each rung are flatted outwardly to present a maximum fiat surface at the points of attachment of the rungs to the side rails of the ladder. These flat surfaces 'areef such size as to permit the attachment of the opposite ends of each rung to the respective side rails by more than one rivet,

bolt or other visible attaching means.

Still another advantageous feature of my invention results from the fact that I have provided a ladder rung which is exceptionally strong and durable, due to its construction, while being both very light and rigid. Thls is also due to the fact that the body portion of the rung is substantially circular in transverse cross-section but it will be understood that the same result may be attained irrespective of whether or not the idea of having thecentral portion substantially circular in transverse cross-section is rigidly adhered to. Such advantageous feature further results from the fact that the ends of-eac'h rung are so constructed as to present a relatively large surface at the points of attachment to the respective side rails of the ladder.

Since ladders of any type are ordinarily used in places exposed to the elements, it is desirable to protect the metal rungs from any corrosive action by coating the rungs, both inside and out, with a protective substance, for instance, by galvanizing. A still further advantageous feature of my invention results from the fact that the construction of the rung is such as to permit economical application of this protective coating to both sides of the rungs While, at the same time, .it is such as to eliminate the necessity of the'use of welding or pressing to attach the rung to the side rails of the ladder.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

A ladder rung comprising a flat blank bent to form a hollow body portion Which is substantially circular in cross section substantially throughout its length, and flat ends flanged at their upper and lower edges merging into said body portion, said flat ends being adapted to act as a securing means to the side rails of a ladder.

In testimony whereof, I hereby afiix' my signature.

ROY C. PFEIL. 

